Wanting to get in to road biking - Issimo bike?

sirlylos

I've been riding mountain bikes for about 15 years now but I'm interested in purchasing a road bike. The cheapest reputable named bikes I can find i.e. Giant and Specialized start from £400 which is quite a lot to spend. However, I have noticed a few on ebay, on in particular is an Issimo.

Issimo on ebay

I've never heard of Issimo and it could just be cheap tat but the price looks good. Can any of you advise me on what I should do and maybe what my best options would be for getting in to road biking without spending a fortune.

Thanks in advance

Bronzie

I'd steer clear of any bikes advertised with a picture that shows the bars in this weird position! Never heard of Isimo...............looks like cheap tat from what I can see and the very little info given in the listing.

acorn_user

Alarm! Avoid that bike. It will be no fun to ride. There are cheaper reputable bikes out there. Edinburgh bikes have one, and do consider "British" brands like Claud Butler and Raleigh that many ignore. Giant also do some nice cheaper ones like the SCR4. If you go cheap, you will end up wondering what all the fuss is about and would rightly decide to use slicks on an mtb. Or go 2nd hand.

Campy King

I find that bike worrying to say the least! You could get a half decent second hand bike for a little more than that.

Mog Uk

Decathlon are well worth a look if you have one close to you......

daniel_b

What is your budget?

Raleigh Airlite's on ebay are 'reasonable' by most accounts.
There is also the chap who sells a generic frame with some not too bad groupset on it for around £160 IIRC, has good reviews too. just search for road bike or racing bike, can't remember which.

As mentioned above Decathlon bikes are good vfm, a Sport 2 would probably be what you would be after.

If you are going to go 2nd hand, your probably best to go for an 'unfashionable' brand, something like Claude Butler/Saracen etc etc

Something like this maybe http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120230716502&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:uk

Dan

giant_man

Bronzie wrote:

I'd steer clear of any bikes advertised with a picture that shows the bars in this weird position! Never heard of Isimo...............looks like cheap tat from what I can see and the very little info given in the listing.

My god it's ugly!!!

Bronzie

giant mancp wrote:

My god it's ugly!!!

WTF is going on with the seattube?? That's taking "double-butted" tubing to a new extreme! And check out the tight rear triangle................responsive (not). How nice to see quill stems making a comeback as well - has it got cotter pins too?

My guess is you'd struggle to even pick the ugly lump off the floor - 30lbs+ I reckon.

giant_man

It's just WRONG Bronzie eh? Good grief!! lol

sirlylos

Ha I'm laughing at the slating this thing has got. have you noticed that it retails for £450 usually!

I didn't want to spend much on this, possibly £200 at the very most but I'm also a firm believer of buying quality. Firstly so that it lasts and also so that I can see what all the fuss is about, I want it to feel good.

I'm liking that Claude Butler, it's exactly what I'm after and I live nearby. I think it's going to go for a lot more than £62 which it's currently on.....still I'll keep my eye on it and see how I get on.

meagain

"it retails for £450 usually!"

Doubt that one was ever sold at that price - I suppose might be "worth" maybe 50 quid.

If you want quality for below 200 then only real answer is second hand: if you can live with down tube shifters then a lot of possiblities on th'bay etc.

daniel_b

http://www.btwincycle.com/EN/sport-2-24281079/

Decathlon Sport 2 there, but as it is end of line, might be cheaper instore, defo worth a call.

Nuggs

That is quite clearly cack. What's up with the bars and the seatpost? Never trust a bike that's marketed with reflectors. The forks are SQUARE!

I can't see any one thing I like about it.

Hideous!

marky2484

NO, NO , NO , NO NO, NO NO.


NO.

marky2484

Designed in Holland ! ? WTF?.

Anything else , mate. Look on e-bay. Look in skips. Look in ditches. Please do not spoil your enjoyment of Gods own sport by subjecting yourself to that.

You can do so much better for £129.00. It will be secondhand. It might be scratched in places. But it will be better. SIZE/FIT is the most important thing. Do you have any mates with road bikes? Try them out. Get a feel for what size is best for you. Learn how bikes are measured/sized. Ask your mates first. Just don't buy one of these.

Rich Hcp

As well as Edinburgh, Decathlon, Claud Butler and Raleigh, there's also Dawes

I nearly went for one, until I found some more money

Any of those brands are a good start, and you'll find it easier to upgrade if you want too

sirlylos

I can categorically say that I will not buy that bike, I have had sufficient replies to warn me off good and proper!

I do have a mate who road bikes so I'm going to get in touch with him and check out the sizing. I'm probably going to go with the Giant's that are around the £400 mark. Anyone know any decent bike shops that do interest free credit?

FSR_XC

Why not look for a S/H road bike?

iga

sirlylos wrote:

Anyone know any decent bike shops that do interest free credit?

If you're prepared to buy online Wiggle do 12 months buy now pay later for orders over £400. That would get you a decent GT GTR4 or Giant SCR 3, but £400 is still a fair wedge for something you're trying out. I'd be tempted to spend half that on a second hand one of the above (or similar) and upgrade in 12 months if you like it.